Several cases in Platte County Court

A Columbus man was sentenced this week to spend a substantial amount of time in Platte County Jail after punishments were levied for offenses encompassing two separate case files.

Patrick J. Wolfe, 23, was sentenced by Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa to spend the next 180 days incarcerated at the detention facility for third-degree domestic assault, a Class I misdemeanor; and 30 days in jail for driving during a period of revocation first offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition to the 30 days in jail, the defendant also had his license revoked for one year.

Under state law, Wolfe could have faced up to a year in prison for both Class I misdemeanors. Wolfe, represented by Platte County Public Defender Tim Matas, pleaded guilty to the driving during revocation charge, however, in August 2018 he originally pleaded not guilty to the charge of domestic assault. The defendant in December amended his plea to guilty, court records show.

Platte County Chief Deputy Attorney Breanna Anderson handled the case for the state.

In other county court news:

*James C. Chapek, 50, of Columbus, was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 12 months of probation and a two year license revocation after being found guilty of DUI third offense, a Class W misdemeanor. The defendant under state law faced a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine. He was also fined $150 and sentenced to 12 months of probation for leaving the scene of an accident, a Class II misdemeanor.

Charges of refusal to submit to a chemical test with two priors, a Class IIIA felony, was dropped, as was the charge of refusing to submit to a pre-test.

On Oct. 4, 2018, an officer with the Columbus Police Department was dispatched to a convenience station located in the 4800 block of Howard Boulevard in regard to a hit-and-run accident, court records show. The reporting party said a tan Toyota hit the propane locker in front of the store and then left traveling eastbound on 27th Street.

The reporting party was able to identify the license plate number and told police that she recognized the driver as a regular customer that lived in the vicinity. She also said that she could smell alcohol on the driver when he was inside of the store.

A DMV records search of the vehicle led officers to the defendant’s home where contact was made with Chapek, who was inside the residence. Court records show the car in question was parked in front of the home and that the responding officer noticed damage to the front right bumper and right headlight of the vehicle, along with red transfer paint on its front.

Broken pieces of headlight were also found at the convenience store, which subsequently were matched to the defendant’s vehicle, court records show.

The defendant was previously convicted of DUI in 2007 and 2012.

*Bryan C. Kohl, 48, of Kearney, had his sentencing moved from Tuesday to 11 a.m. on March 6. Court documentation shows that the defendant is representing himself and that Platte County Attorney Carl Hart Jr. is representing the state. Kohl faces the lone charge of criminal mischief in the amount of $501-$1,499, a Class II misdemeanor. Under state law, Kohl could face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. In August, court records show he pleaded guilty to breaking a window on a 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup truck.

Sam Pimper is the news editor of The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at sam.pimper@lee.net.

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